Tshepang Moremi and Yanela Mbuthuma Shine in Pirates’ 4-0 CAF Champions League Win Over Lioli FC

Tshepang Moremi and Yanela Mbuthuma played starring roles as Orlando Pirates delivered a 4-0 demolition of Lesotho champions Lioli FC in the second leg of the CAF Champions League first preliminary round. The victory completed a 7-0 aggregate win after a 3-0 triumph in the first leg, sending Lioli out of the competition.

Both Moremi and Mbuthuma scored twice, underlining their attacking threat. For Moremi, the performance marked a significant turnaround. The 24-year-old had faced criticism from a section of Pirates fans after coming on as a substitute in the first leg of the MTN8 semi-final against Mamelodi Sundowns in August. Following a 1-0 win against Stellenbosch FC, Pirates players deliberately avoided celebrating with fans to show solidarity with Moremi.

Speaking to the club media, Moremi credited head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou for preparing the team for the Lioli clash. “This game wasn’t easy because we knew since the first leg that coming to this game we had an advantage, so the coach told us we should keep on and when we get here, we must show them who we are – a big team, score and beat them,” he said. “That’s why everything fell into place, and even our team spirit is high since the camp. Everything is going well. I’ve told the fans I’m still going to make them happy. Everything has its time, but now, we’re going up and not down.”

Mbuthuma, who has struggled since joining the club, opened his scoring account for Pirates with his brace. He credited his teammates for pushing him during training. “I’m very happy with the two goals I scored, and the fact the guys had been pushing me at training, telling me to push harder and harder, I will get something. So, today I am very happy. I also don’t believe it, I’m very happy,” he said.

Orlando Pirates now await the winner of the tie between DR Congo’s Saint-Eloi Lupopo and Sudanese side Al-Merreikh. Lupopo claimed a 1-0 advantage in the first leg, with the second leg scheduled for Saturday. The team will aim to carry their momentum from the Lioli victory into the next round.